Burnout is a state of feeling overwhelmed, fatigued, and emotionally drained due to consistent stress in your work, family, or social life. Whilst burnout is not a medical diagnosis, it can affect our physical and mental health if not acknowledged and managed appropriately.
Everyone is vulnerable to the effects of burnout at some point or another in their lives, as we deal with various daily responsibilities, including working, taking care of our loved ones, and managing other needs. Sometimes, we can get too busy and forget to take a step back and rest. That’s when burnout can occur.
Burnout can be caused by stress, but there is a difference between the two in terms of their definition and and how they present. Stress can make you feel overwhelmed, and can lead to anxiety, whereas burnout makes you feel depleted and used up. Stress results from too many mental or physical demands on your time and energy resources. Burnout is characterised by having little emotion, motivation, or care, and can lead to cynicism, feelings of hopelessness, and resentment. These symptoms overlap with those of Depression. This can have a negative impact on our home, work, and social life (to name just a few).
Burnout doesn’t happen immediately. It’s a gradual process that builds with stressors from work, or other demands on limited time and energy. Signs and symptoms can be subtle at first. But the longer they go unaddressed, the worse they can become. Symptoms may include:
Burnout can look like depression. So, it’s important to get a professional diagnosis. A key difference is that you can ease burnout with rest or time off. However, depression, a medical illness, needs to be treated with therapy or medication. Burnout is associated with both Anxiety and Depression.
Burnout is a chronic state. Workers with burnout are more likely to take sick days or visit A&E. Feelings of stress and despair can result in long-term impacts on your physical and mental health.
Health care workers are at high risk for burnout. Even before the overwhelming stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, burnout among health professionals was high, with up to 70% of nurses, and up to 50% of doctors reporting burnout. 63.4% of community pharmacists reported increased work stress. Chronic job stress among these workers can mean impaired judgment and physical ailments. Teaching and law enforcement are other professions with a high risk of burnout.
Other risk factors for burnout include:
Originally, the term burnout was applied to work-related stress only. However, many psychologists see burnout as a likely outcome for any type of prolonged, stressful condition. Researchers have currently not reached a consensus regarding whether prevalence of burnout is higher in men or women.
Life and work factors that can contribute to burnout include:
If you’re experiencing burnout, don’t try to keep going. It will only make things worse. Try to make changes to whatever is causing you stress. Take care of your health, seek out positive relationships, and leave or adjust stressful conditions where possible.
There isn’t a specific timeline for recovery from burnout. The sooner you reduce your stress by asking for help, practicing self-care, and changing or leaving your situation, the better you’ll become.
There are ways you can help yourself recover from burnout. Burnout builds over time. It’s caused by stress at work or in other parts of your life, making it difficult to manage your job and other responsibilities.
If left untreated, burnout can affect your career and relationships, as well as your physical and mental health.
In the workplace, prolonged burnout can lead to chronic absence and job dissatisfaction. Physically, it can lead to a range of medical conditions over time, including cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory problems, a weakened immune system, type 2 diabetes, and even premature death.